March 5, 2020
Crew Families: Please give the following your attention ASAP
  1. Complete the Regatta Availability Spreadsheet!
  2. Class of 2020 and 2021: Read below about our Boat Naming Campaign (and consider donating)
  3. Class of 2020: Support our yard sign fundraiser and help promote to other seniors
  4. Update your calendar with the Regatta Schedule
  5. Look at the volunteer needs below and let Laura Brinton know how you can help!
  6. Join the REMIND group for text updates (text @hfdbb to 81010)
  7. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook - Great Valley Crew
  8. Rowers: add coach's emails to your contacts and email them directly if you will be missing a practice: Coach Emily (eclose416@gmail.com) and Coach Lindsay (tue91036@temple.edu)
REGATTA INFORMATION
Important Action Item - Please complete by 3/12
All families: please fill out this regatta schedule spreadsheet ASAP to mark your availability. Click HERE for the spreadsheet.

If you do not see your name on the list and believe it is an error, please email gvcrewm@gmail.com

8th Graders: You are not required to attend the regattas, however, we encourage you to attend the Manny Flick #3 on March 29 to get the "regatta experience" and root for your GV Crew team. Of course, you may attend as many regattas as you like. Just complete the spreadsheet so we know how many to expect.
Classes of 2020 and 2021: Boat Naming Campaign
Please READ THIS LETTER and consider contributing to this important campaign to support our program!
Swim Test - March 10 at 3pm
Upper Main Line YMCA-Berwyn
All new rowers must pass a swim test for water safety. Rowers will wear sweatpants and sweatshirt while swimming 2 lengths of the pool then treading water for 5 minutes.

Robin Brewer is setting up a carpool for this test if anyone needs or ride. We also still need one more driver. Contact Robin at gvcrewm@gmail.com if your rower needs a ride or if you can drive.
8th Grade Rowers
You are expected to attend and participate at all regular practices. You are welcome (but not required) to attend any and all regattas. Regattas can be a fun social event and it's great to have everyone there to cheer on our team.
Manny Flick #3 on March 29 will be a special
welcome regatta for all new rowers and families.
Come on out and meet everyone!
CARPOOL
The final carpool schedule is ready to go! Please be sure to notify your driver if your rower is not going to attend practice. If you cannot drive your regular shift one day, you will need to find a replacement. Phone numbers are on the schedule. Things to do near WYRA: Starbucks on Justison street, walk along the river walk, nature center.
Uniforms
Reminder: 8th Grade rowers do not need to purchase a uniform. All other new rowers need to contact
Pat McDonald at Patricia.McDonald@westonsolutions.com
to set up a time to get your uniform.

Spirit Wear
We have a few spirit wear items available from our Fall sale. Spirit wear can also be purchased from Pat at the email above.
Regatta Schedule
3/22 Manny Flick #2: Schuylkill
3/29 Manny Flick #3: Schuylkill 
4/5 Manny Flick #4: Schuylkill (tentative)
4/19 Manny Flick #5: Schuylkill
4/26 Cooper Cup: Cooper River (Camden)
5/2-3 City Championships: Schuylkill
5/10 Upper Merion: Bridgeport
5/15-16 Stotesbury Regatta: Schuylkill
Important Dates - Mark Your Calendar
  • March 10 - 3pm Swim Test for all new rowers.

  • March 13 - PICTURE DAY! Wear Crew or GV Gear

  • April 4 - 1:00-2:00 Team pizza lunch and making lunches for PSRA officials after practice at WYRA.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 4th
As part of our responsibility to PSRA, we are required to volunteer at one of the regattas (the Flicks and Cities). This year, we've been assigned lunches for the PSRA officials on 4/5/20. Rowers who are available should plan to stay after practice on Saturday 4/4 for an additional hour to help assemble brown bag lunches. Pizza lunch will be provided. More details to follow.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE SPRING 2020

With our high school seniors graduating in June, it’s time for us to begin the transition our regatta responsibilities to new crew families. You’ll find these roles to be very rewarding in terms of building relationships with other crew parents and understanding the inner workings of the team. Allan and I have formed many great friendships within the crew community as a result.

Please contact me (Laura Brinton) at 610-574-5045 or laurasbrinton@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Regatta and Hospitality Coordinators
Volunteers Needed: 2
This role is responsible for regatta operations, including planning for hospitality, managing the tent and chuckwagon, and obtaining the required permits. On regatta day, this role ensures proper setup/teardown and coordinates food prep and grilling. 

Dawn Patrol and Chuckwagon
The Dawn Patrol and Chuckwagon roles are necessary for our ability to have a hospitality tent at regattas. In the past, the Chuckwagon Driver also participated on Dawn Patrol, but this is not an absolute requirement.

Chuckwagon Drivers
Volunteers Needed: minimum of 2
Transport the hospitality trailer (aka chuckwagon) to and from regattas on race day. Drivers need to be available early morning, usually between 6:00 - 6:30am. Race sites include the Schuylkill River near Boathouse Row, Cooper River, and, on occasion, Mercer Lake in Princeton. Must be able to back the wagon into congested areas. Ideally, the driver is available to transport both to and from the race site, but this could be a shared responsibility if coordinated in advance.

Dawn Patrol Team
Volunteers Needed: minimum of 4 - 5 
Assists with set up of the hospitality tent on race day. A team of 3 - 4 people is ideal, and we typically arrive on site before 7am. Set up takes approximately an hour. The fall season is 5-6 regattas in October and November, most often on Saturday. The spring season is 6-7 regattas between March and May, most often on Sundays. 
New to Rowing? 
What to expect, wear and what you need to bring with you:
  • Sessions will usually be rain or shine. If a practice will be cancelled, you will hear about it via text from our REMIND group. Join the group by texting @hfdbb to 81010.
  • Rowers should be prepared for all conditions: hot, cold and wet.  
  • Most days will be on the water, wear sunscreen and a hat for protection. Layers are good. On rainy days, rowers should have a pullover waterproof jacket. Unless the coach deems water conditions unsafe due to heavy flow and debris, we will row in the rain.
  • All participants should come prepared to work out, with close-fit clothing that allows full range of motion.  Stretch/yoga pants or compression shorts are ideal, jeans and basketball shorts are not.
  • Please wear sneakers for fitness training/running. You will want to pack an extra pair of socks.
  • Please do not bring cell phones or jewelry on the water. 
  • Bring a non-disposable water bottle for use in the boat every day. 
  • Please pack a healthy snack for before practice.
  • If you are new to the team, you will need to complete the swim test which requires two laps and five minutes treading while wearing sweat shirt and pants. Test will likely take place at UMLY during the first week of March, exact date/time TBD.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
DID YOU KNOW THAT ALL IMPORTANT CREW DATES ARE
NOW ON A GOOGLE CALENDAR?
You can access the calendar HERE.
Questions about GV Crew? Contact John Brewer at gvcrewpd@gmail.com
For additions to the newsletter: Email Robin Brewer at gvcrewm@gmail.com
Support GVCO with our Sponsors
Dine&Donate with Bomba Taco + Bar
March Madness!! GVCO & Bomba have partnered to bring a month long special!

Show this flyer to your server to receive a free guacamole and 10% of your check will be donated to GVCO!

Dine&Donate with Christopher's for GVGYL
Great Valley Girls Youth Lacrosse will be having a Dine&Donate event!
Monday,   3/9 at Christopher's   4-10pm!

30% of the food bill will be donated back to the program when you mention GVGYL.

Come out, get a great meal and support our girls lacrosse!
The Chuck Barbera Team of REALTORS/ RE/MAX Partners with GVCO in “REALTORS Giving Back” Program
BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME THIS SPRING?

Over the next year, for anyone who contacts the Chuck Barbera Team at RE/MAX Fine Homes and signs them to serve in the purchase or sale of their next home, GVCO will receive 10% of the real estate commission received!

Just mention the "REALTORS Giving Back" Program and GVCO in order to qualify for this generous donation to GVCO. Refer friends and family to the Chuck Barbera Team at RE/MAX Fine Homes as well!

Let's DO GOOD TOGETHER!!!  
Toss & Tailgate 2020 - Everyone is Invited to Join the Fun or Bid for Auction items!
Make sure to check out all of our auction items here .
Can't make the event but still would like to bid? Click here to find out how!
Great Valley Community Organization
Spring Volleyball Clinic Sign Ups
The GVVL Clinics are designed to offer instruction at both the beginner and advanced levels. Clinics are open to boys and girls in grades 1-12.

Registration:
$130 per session until March 9th; $135 after
$230 for both sessions until March 9th; $240 after

Two eight week sessions are available:
Mondays:  Mar 16, 23,30. April 13,20,27 May 4 & 11 (No class April 6th - Spring Break for Great Valley schools) 
Thursdays:  Mar 19, 26. April 2,16,23,30 May 7 & 14 (No class April 9th - Spring Break) 
Challenger Gym open for Registration
Challenger Gym is an after-school program for school-age students of all grade levels with extra needs who might need a fun, non-competitive alternative to traditional community sports.

Dates:   Wednesdays, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, (no April 8), 15, 22
Time:  4:15-5:15 pm
Location  :  GVCO  19 N. Bacton Hill Road, Malvern, PA

If you are interested in signing your child up as a participant   or   if you would like to become a high school volunteer, please email Wendy Morris  challenger@gvco.org

GVBC Project Updates
Feb 24 2020:       Site work continues over at the Bacton Hill Rd site.

GVCO continues to reach out to the community for help with the project.

Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather Sunday, Dan Aquilante of DC Aquilante, Inc and Charlestown Paving were back out there again!

See the Future for GVCO!
Want a brand new GVCO Community Center with multiple courts, an outdoor field, a cafe, an elevated track and work out area, as well as multi-purpose rooms for other community programming, activities and events?

We purchased the land, the property is fully engineered and the approval process is complete. The time is NOW....Help us make it happen!

Give a little...GET A LOT!
GVCO has reached a major milestone & surpassed $2M raised for the new community center! The current total for the capital campaign is now  $2,293,121 !

Learn More:
CONNECT WITH US
Great Valley Crew